Surry Central's Ethan Wilmoth, the 2011-12 Northwest 1A/2A Conference Basketball Player of the Year, has decided he will attend Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, VA next year. He will continue a stellar basketball career as a member of the Postgraduate Basketball team under first-year Head Coach CPT Brooks Berry.
Wilmoth was a four-year starter for the Golden Eagles, a three-time All Conference performer, and finished his Golden Eagle career as the school's all-time leading scorer with 1732 points. He averaged 17.2 points per game, 7 rebounds, and 5.1 assists for this year's team which went 18-11 and advanced to the "Sweet 16" round of the NCHSAA 2A Tournament.
"We're very excited and happy that Ethan has decided to attend Fork Union. We love a ton of things about him. He's a high-character kid who we feel like is being under recruited and hasn't gotten all the offers he probably deserves," Coach Berry said on Wednesday. "He has all the intangibles to be a point guard at a very high level. We love his leadership, his intelligence, his vision on the court, and his willingness to share the basketball. We love so many things about him. We feel he has great upside and a real 'stomach' for the big game."
Fork Union's 2011-12 schedule included games with Virginia Tech (preseason), the UNC JV squad, and the US Naval Academy; and only six of their 31 games were played at home in Fork Union. Alumni of the Fork Union program include former UNC star Shammond Williams, former Florida Gator Adrian Moss (2006 National Champs), Wake Forest's Taron Downey, and Appalachian State's all-time leading scorer Donald Sims.
Surry Central Coach Ken Eiswald feels the impact that Wilmoth has left on his program will be strong for many years to come, and he's happy with the choice that his player has made. "I think it's awesome that he's getting this opportunity. I think it's the best possible route for him to get to where he wants to go." As for what Wilmoth's four years as a Golden Eagle have meant to his program, Eiswald added, "He has rejuvenated basketball at Surry Central, he's been a great ambassador for the game as far as the school and the community are concerned. He's put a passion back in Surry Central Basketball that will last for years to come."
Wilmoth is excited to be spending a year at Fork Union. While spending the year with the Blue Devils will allow him to continue his playing career alongside other high-quality postgraduate players, he also sees the challenges he faces during the coming year. "I chose to go there because it will give me the exposure I need to hopefully get an offer from a Division 1 school, plus it doesn't take away a year of future eligibility. It will probably be the hardest thing I've ever done."
Assistant Surry Central Coach Myles Wilmoth, Ethan's dad, has seen the many hours of work that have brought his son to this point, and he believes the decision to attend Fork Union is the right one. "Libby (mother), Marlee (sister), and I are very proud of Ethan. He has worked unbelievably hard to develop his passion; from running through our vineyard with a parachute on, to doing plyometrics in the heat of summer, to getting up at 5:30am to shoot before school.... I'm excited for this next chapter of his life. I believe Fork Union is the perfect place for Ethan to spend his first year after high school. He is a wonderful son."
Surry Central Sports Information
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